Amnesty International Urges Action on Insecurity in Northern Nigeria
Amnesty International has called on the federal government to take immediate steps to address escalating insecurity, especially in northern Nigeria. In a statement released on social media, the organization highlighted the alarming increase in kidnappings affecting rural communities and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). According to their report, over 1,100 individuals were abducted between January and April 2026 alone.
The organization documented harrowing accounts of abuse faced by victims, including torture, starvation, rape, and coerced involvement in violent acts. “In addition to murders, gunmen are increasingly targeting individuals for ransom, leaving many hostages enduring months of brutal captivity,” said Isa Sanusi, Director of Amnesty International Nigeria.
Amnesty cited a series of troubling incidents throughout the region, such as the attack on Wollo village in Kwara State on February 3, where a staggering 200 people were killed and 176 abducted. This incident is just one of many that underscore the severe security crisis afflicting northern Nigeria.
Other alarming abductions included the kidnapping of 150 individuals in Zamfara State in early April and over 100 displaced persons taken by Boko Haram fighters near Mafa, Borno State, in March. On March 3, more than 400 people were reported kidnapped in Ngoshe, while in Niger State, 57 individuals were abducted in January.
Additional incidents have continued to add to the grim statistics, such as the kidnapping of 18 passengers on March 30 in Zamfara while traveling from Abuja to Sokoto. Just days earlier, on February 19, armed groups abducted 92 people across the state, demonstrating the widespread nature of these assaults.
Eyewitness accounts from residents of Wollo in Kwara State reveal the deep emotional scars left by these attacks. One survivor recounted the abduction of his family members, including his young daughter, and expressed his anguish at the distressing video shared by the kidnappers. “It’s been almost two months, and they’re still in the forest,” he lamented.
Amnesty International warned that the surge in abductions is plunging families into dire financial straits, with many resorting to selling their possessions or relying on community fundraising to pay ransoms. “In nearly all cases, victims are killed, and homes and businesses are pillaged. Those who cannot pay face death or further torture,” Sanusi emphasized. The organization also noted that the fear of kidnappings is driving children out of schools, while underage girls are often forced into early marriages as a means of protection.
The organization’s concerns come amid ongoing issues of banditry and insurgency in the northwest and northeast regions of Nigeria. President Bola Tinubu assured the public on Thursday that the federal government is dedicated to supporting the military. “We will ensure that the military has the necessary equipment and that the welfare of those risking their lives for our security is prioritized,” he stated. This commitment followed a devastating attack on a military base in Borno State, where suspected Boko Haram insurgents killed Brigadier General OO Buraima and several soldiers.
Criticism of Nigerian authorities has intensified due to a perceived failure to fulfill their constitutional and international obligations to safeguard their citizens. Amnesty International’s Sanusi highlighted that such neglect represents a severe violation of human rights laws, underscoring the urgent need for government intervention to restore safety and security.
